A procedure to design symmetrically laminated structures for maximum buckling load with
manufacturing uncertainty in the ply angle—which is the design variable, is described. It is assumed
that the probability of any tolerance value occurring within the tolerance band, compared with any
other, is equal, and thus the technique is aimed at designing for the worst-case scenario. The finite
element method is implemented and used to determine the fitness of each design candidate, and so
the effects of bending–twisting coupling are accounted for. The methodology is flexible enough to
allow any appropriate finite element formulation and search algorithm to be substituted. Three
different tolerance scenarios are used for the purposes of illustrating the methodology, and plates
with varying aspect and loading ratios, as well as differing boundary conditions, are chosen to
demonstrate the technique, and optimally designed and compared.